Razor mechanisms

Abstract

The present invention describes a novel spring mechanism for a razor. In the razor, the spring member may be disposed in a movable member assembly, portions of which may be used for ejection or pivoting. The spring may be fully encompassed within the assembly and be placed within supporting structures therein. The spring is a loop-shaped element having overlapping end portions with free distal ends. Alternately, the spring member is tear drop shaped loop shape with distal ends that are spaced apart. The spring may be disposed within a first and/or second movable member such as an eject button or a pivot member. A retarding structure on the spring provides a retarding force which is based on the interaction of the retarding structure with a protrusion on an assembly portion to keep the spring orientation intact. The spring is desirably comprised of stainless steel and is a flat wire.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A razor comprising a loop shaped spring member having overlapping end portions. 
     
     
         2 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said overlapping end portions comprise distal ends. 
     
     
         3 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said spring member further comprises one or more retarding structures. 
     
     
         4 . The razor of  claim 3  wherein said retarding structure is a knob, protrusion, recess, notch, divot, or point of any size and structure having a curved or linear profile or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member is disposed within an assembly having a movable member. 
     
     
         6 . The razor of  claim 2  wherein said distal ends do not contact each other. 
     
     
         7 . The razor of  claim 2  wherein said two distal ends are spaced apart. 
     
     
         8 . The razor of  claim 2  wherein one or both distal ends are unsupported. 
     
     
         9 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member is unsupported in said movable member assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member moves freely in said movable member assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The razor of  claim 4  wherein said knob comprises a curved profile. 
     
     
         12 . The razor of  claim 11  wherein said knob has radii of curvature between about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The razor of  claim 3  wherein said retarding structure extends into a center of said loop spring member, extends out from a circumference of said loop spring member, is disposed generally opposite said overlapping end portions, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member is a substantially closed loop. 
     
     
         15 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member comprises an oval, circle, elliptical, ring shape, modified V-shape, tear drop shape, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member has an overall length of about 30 mm to about 90 mm when straightened. 
     
     
         17 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member has radii of curvature between about 1 mm to about 12 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member is comprised of a stainless steel. 
     
     
         19 . The razor of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped spring member is comprised of flat wire.